Multi Events 2002
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Dorset Schools Multi-events

Kings Park, Bournemouth

Saturday 4th May 2002

Minor Girls Junior Girls Inter Girls Senior Girls
Minor Boys Junior Boys Inter Boys Senior Boys

After the recent uncertain weather, it was a relief when the sun broke through for the annual Dorset Schools Multi-events competition. The now established format of one run, one jump and one throw proved popular enough to encourage 105 youngsters to try their hand over the three hours of competition. In common with all multi-events competitions, there was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere among rivals who, nevertheless, left no doubt in anyone's mind that, once their turn came to compete, they were there to do their best. An indication of the quality of performance can be gained from the statistic that record scores were set by the winners in six of the eight age groups.  Once again Dorset Schools Athletic Association is grateful for the assistance so willingly offered by Dorset County AA officials who helped in the smooth running of the afternoon as well as to the Kings Park ground staff.

In the Senior Girls' category Emma James (Parkstone GS) won each of her three events and ran out a convincing winner from team mate Helen Wilkinson and Bournemouth College's Helen Arbuthnot.  Emma set a new county record which made up for losing her record in the Intermediate Girls' age group.

In the Intermediate Girls' category, the new record holder is English Schools' National champion in the javelin, Louise Watton (Lytchett Minster) who threw her favourite implement almost twice as far as her nearest rival, and the huge score with which she was rewarded for this feat ensured that she maintained a comfortable advantage over Wey Valley's Carly Dean, strong in her best event, the Hurdles, as well as in the Long Jump. Like all top-class field event specialists, Louise proved that she can sprint as well, with a 13.6 100m clocking that was too good for others in her category. Louise Morgan (Bryanston) performed well in all three of her events, but found her two nationally ranked rivals just too strong.  She had the satisfaction, however, of leading her Bryanston squad to a team victory.

There were impressive performances too in the Junior Girls' competition where only eight points separated the top three finishers and where there was a tie for second place between Wey Valley's Nikki Hamblin (soon after gaining her first international cross country vest in the home countries match) and Avonbourne's Louise Cook. Louise's strength in the Hurdles was more tha matched by Nikki in the 800m and the middle distance specialist edged ahead in the Long Jump only to be pegged back in the Shot.  Meanwhile, however, Parkstone Grammar's Alyssa Eggertson was quietly amassing points in the Shot, High Jump and 100m in which she showed no real weaknesses - the hallmark of a multi-events specialist.  She could exel in this discipline as her new county record proves.  As well as her individual win, she was part of the victorious Parkstone Grammar team.  With thirty-four competitors in this age group, it proved once again the best supported category.

In the Minor Girls' competition, Sophie Spiegal (St. Aldhelm's) and Catherine Lees (Lockyers) chose the same events and were locked together throughout the afternoon with Sophie prevailing by dint of four centimetres in the Long Jump and seventeen centimetres in the Shot. The bronze medal went to St. Peter's Harriett Hogg while the team competition was won by Lockyer's Middle School.

There was a tiny turn-out in the Senior Boys' competition, but no lack of quality in the performance of the winner, James Rayner, from Poole College who performed excellently in 100m and Long Jump and solidly in the Javelin. His scores were good enough to establish a new county record in this event.  Surprised medalists were Tim Colley and Stuart Bonathan of Canford.

The top scoring athlete of the day was St. Peter's Daniel Hepplewhite in the Intermediate Boys' division. The computer almost went into melt-down as he launched the Shot 14m21 to record the only three figure individual score of the afternoon, and in fact the first since this event has been staged using the current format. Like Louise Watton in the Intermediate Girls' division,  he proved that one cannot throw a long way without being able to sprint fast as his 12.3 for the 100m proved.  He would claim that 4m85 in the Long Jump is not bad either for a Shot Putter! He would not be wrong! A new county record was an added bonus. In almost any other year, Richard Reeks from Carter Community College would have been a worthy county champion, with an excellent High Jump backed up by very good Hurdling and more than competent Javelin throwing.  Here is another athlete who has all the qualities of a talented multi-events specialist.  Luke Jenkins (St. Peter's) just held off Edward Benham (St. Edward's) by one point to earn the bronze medal. Canford School were the team winners.

Purbeck's Nicolas Phillips won all three of his events in the Junior Boys' category  to finish an impresive winner.  Multi-events experience at national level certainly showed in his mature performance and a new best county score.  There was a titanic struggle behind him as Lee Biles (Thomas Hardye) held off Jonathan Boyle (Corfe Hills) by just one point

In the Minor Boys' division, there was a win for James Gren (Baden Powell & St. Peter's) thanks to some excellent Hurdling and High Jumping. Sandford's Abu Abioye was a comfortable second ahead of Lytchett's Joe Astley.

DSAA Multi-events team manager, Pete Clarke, was justifiably excited by the talent on display and it is hoped that some of those who competed will feel that they would like to try a full Pentathlon, Heptathlon, Octathlon or Decathlon (depending upon age).  They are asked to contact the DSAA as a matter of urgency if they would like further information.  E-mail contact details are on the DSAA web site (www.dsaa.org.uk)